Stage 1 | Sunday, 11 June | Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln | 12.7 kilometres (individual time trial)
From Einsiedeln, the time trial course takes a relatively direct route to Lake Sihl, which is crossed over the Willerzell Viaduct, a flat, narrow bridge. Once on the other side, the lake is circumnavigated in a northerly direction directly along the shore until the first houses of Einsiedeln can be seen again. The route then moves away from the water and heads towards the centre of the small town, where the finish line is located. An intermediate time is taken at the halfway point.
The course mostly avoids tight bends, with only a few sharper changes of direction just before the bridge and in the finale. The course is also predominantly flat, with only 90 metres of elevation gain in total. The last of these are in the finale. The biggest climb of the day, 5.5 per cent, awaits in the last 300 metres right before the finish line.
Sporting assessment of the 1st stage
The distance is too short and not technically demanding enough to create large gaps. Only a few seconds will separate the day's winner from his pursuers. And these could also be important in the overall classification at the end. That's why it's important for the GC riders not to give anything away.
These include Remco Evenepoel (Soudal - Quick Step), who as the winner of the two flat time trials at the Giro d'Italia is the top favourite - and not just for stage 1. But Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) will want to have a say in the day's victory. This also applies to local hero Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), who would like to win again, especially at home, instead of delivering a series of top 5 results against the clock. Just like Stefan Bissegger from Team EF Education EasyPost.
Schedule, TV coverage & live stream of stage 1 of the Tour de Suisse 2023
The Tour de Suisse begins at 14:25 with the first starter rolling off the ramp. The race continues every minute until the last rider starts at 17:05. The expected time to the finish is between 13 and 15 minutes.
The first stage of the Tour de Suisse will not be shown on German television. In Switzerland, however, the SRF2 channel will be broadcasting live from 3.20pm. At this time, the paid live streams from GCN+, Discovery+ and thus also Eurosport will also start the programme.
Tour de Suisse - Stage 1: The most important information at a glance
- Individual time trial over 12.7 kilometres
- Start first rider: 14:25
- Finish of last rider: approx. 17:20 hrs
- TV broadcast: in Switzerland on SRF2 from 3.20 pm
- Live stream: GCN+, Discovery+ and Eurosport from 15:20
